194-year-old tortoise reveals stable gene switches that may help resist aging: Study
Researchers found 287 unique gene variants and unusually stable gene switches in pathways tied to DNA repair, mitochondrial function and metabolism.
- On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, researchers published the first genome sequence of Jonathan, the 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, in the journal Science Advances, revealing genetic mechanisms driving his extreme longevity.
- Hatched in about 1832, Jonathan has spent 144 years on St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean after being purchased as a gift, establishing him as the world's oldest known land animal.
- Researchers found that chemical tags near 272 of Jonathan's genes remained tidy, mirroring those of much younger tortoises and suggesting resilience against age-related decline through preserved DNA repair and mitochondrial regulators.
- Stephen Clark, lead author of the study, stated the team aims to translate evolutionary insights into practical treatments for chronic disease, with research supported by the Stephen Voland Research Fund offering a cellular resilience blueprint.
- Scientists caution that the study, which analyzed only five tortoises, remains a hypothesis rather than proven cause of long life, with further testing needed to determine if these genetic patterns truly protect against aging.
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287 gene variants have been discovered that protect the turtle from aging processes. Jonathan's metabolism is extremely slow, including his movements.
Imagine someone who lived at the same time as Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin, but is still alive and enjoying his daily activities. But this is not a fictional character, but Jonathan the giant tortoise, who at 194 years old is the world's oldest known land animal. A new study suggests that the key to the tortoise's longevity lies not just in good genes, but in exemplary protection of the powerhouses of the cell, the mitochondria.
▶️ Slowing down the effects of time is no longer just a fantasy: the business of seeking eternal youth is now worth more than 80 billion dollars. Scientists have sequenced the genome of Jonathan, a 194-year-old giant tortoise from Aldabra, in order to explore the molecular bases of his exceptional longevity. - Does the DNA of Jonathan, a 194-year-old turtle, contain the secret of “eternal youth”? (Science).
Jonathan the tortoise met British Elizabeth II when she was still a princess. He was already 115 at the time. Researchers have searched for the genetic secret behind his longevity.
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